By : Mohan Verma
The 2014 General Elections Reference Handbook issued by Press Information Bureau said that there was a swing of 5 to 6 percent in votes polled which resulted reversal of results in 2009 in Himachal Pradesh as BJP secured 3 out of total 4 seats whereas in 2004 Congress had secured 3 seats.
Chapter 22 of reference book says that BJP got 49.58 percent share of votes in 2009 while Congress 45.61 percent. Out of 31 candidates contested, 4 national parties were in the fray as Congress, BJP and BSP contested on 4 seats each and CPI(M) 1 seat.
Compared to 2004 only Congress got 51.89 percent and BJP 44.24 percent. Number of candidates who contested LS elections were 23 in 2004 and 31 in 2009. The state will go polling on May 7 for which 46,74,187 voters are eligible to use their franchise including 62,133 electors of 18 to 19 years age group who are newly enrolled (1.3 percent).
Turnout in the 2009 LS poll was 58.78 percent, whereas women voters turnout 59.62 percent which was more than men. Drive SVEEP (Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation) started by Election commission of India in 2010 shows the difference of rise in polling percentage in the state from 72.69 percent of assembly elections of 2012 compared to 71.61 percent of 2007.
Interestingly, turnout of fare sex was better as it was 76 percent in 2012 compared to 69.39 percent of men, similarly women turn out 74.01 percent in 2007 in state assembly elections compared to 68.36 percent of men.
